Sunday, March 2, 2008

30th Annual Amory Railroad Festival is April 16-20 in Neighboring Monroe County

The 30th Annual Amory Railroad Festival will roll into town on April 16 in nearby Amory in Monroe County. The festival began during 1979 and attracts nearly 60,000 visitors each year. The festival has been cited by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the region’s top 20 events.

2008 will be no exception to what has been offered by past festivals and committee members this year have said they desire to stage the very best festival ever, featuring outstanding entertainment, delectable food and quality arts and crafts.

Amory’s very existence is due to the railroad. The town was established by the K.C.M.&B. Railroad (Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham) at the halfway point between Memphis and Birmingham and was named for business magnate and cotton mill owner, Harcourt Amory of Boston (born February 10, 1855, died November 26, 1925). Harcourt Amory helped finance the buying of right-of-way for the railroad through the area. Shortly after the town was surveyed and plotted, the first lots were sold at auction in November 1887 and incorporation followed during 1888.

Each year the festival features the best in entertainment, arts and crafts, good Southern food, a fantastic car and truck show, carnival, a 5k railroad run and special museum events.

Take time to discover historic Amory – northeast Mississippi’s railroad town, this April 16-20 during the 30th Annual Amory Railroad Festival. For further festival information, visit the Amory Railroad Festival website.

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Itawamba History Review is edited by Bob Franks, publications editor of the Itawamba Historical Society. All photographs and editorial content by Bob Franks unless otherwise noted. The Itawamba Historical Society is a Mississippi non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Itawamba County, Mississippi's history and heritage. Be sure to visit the Itawamba Historical Society Online where you can discover your Itawamba County, Mississippi roots!